Best Sports Journalism of 2013 - Part 3 of 5

All year long I’ve been reading great sports journalism online to recommend to the followers of my podcast’s (Basement Sports) Facebook fanpage. I’m a writer and a huge sports fan, so the two mingling together to form great journalism has always mesmerized me. The year has truly seen some great sports writing, and I wanted to share the best of the best that I’ve read from 2013.

Over the next few days I will be unveiling the ‘25 Best Sports Writing Articles of 2013’ from the many that I have read. While I’ve read more than 100 fine pieces this year I’m sure that some truly fantastic online sports writing has slipped through my grasps, so I do apologize if an obvious piece of great sports writing has been omitted.

In part three of this five-part list are fine writings on Major League Baseball’s lack of a game-changing superstar, a boxing match that left one opponent dead and the lives of others changed forever, the hall of fame case for a former NBA superstar that on first look might not seem worthy of enshrinement, and two stories on the competitive drives of legendary (Michael Jordan) or volatile (Kurt Busch) athletes.

15. “The Unfortunate Tale of T-Mac” by Grantland’s Bill Simmons (August 30)

As an Orlando Magic fan there have probably been few NBA players in my lifetime who I’ve enjoyed watching play basketball more than Tracy McGrady. But, despite being a great player for a good amount of time, McGrady was never viewed as a winner (having never led his team past the first round of the NBA Playoffs) and thus never viewed as a potential future hall of famer, even by myself. However, Bill Simmons’ wonderful post-career analysis of McGrady’s career for Grantland.com this year did something that rarely happens … it made me take a second look at a player and change my opinion. After reading Simmons’ piece, I now believe McGrady should one day be inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame.

14. "Kurt Busch Shows Drive to Win Away From Track" by USA Today's Jeff Gluck (August 15)

USA Today’s Jeff Gluck gets my award for most interesting article idea of 2013, because he had the audacity to ask the always-volatile, uber-competitive NASCAR driver Kurt Busch to go mini-golfing with him as a part of a story on the irascible driver’s attitude and drive to win at anything and everything he does, no matter how trivial the event. The outcome pretty much proves that Kurt Busch is always going to be Kurt Busch when it comes to competition.

13. "Death at the Garden: Memories of Emile Griffith and Benny Paret" by The New Yorker's Jonathan Coleman (July 24)

When boxing legend Emile Griffith died in late July it instantly sent The New Yorker’s Jonathan Coleman back to the night that he witnessed his first prizefight between Griffith and Benny Paret as a kid in 1962. It was a night in which one man would not survive and the lives of a few others would be changed forever. Coleman’s telling of vivid memories from the night recalls the horror of the event and the tragic side of the sweet science.

12. "Michael Jordan Has Not Left The Building" by ESPN's Wright Thompson (February 22)

Wright Thompson’s fantastic “Michael Jordan Has Not Left The Building” for ESPN.com in correlation with “Outside the Lines” for Jordan’s 50^th birthday (which ESPN way overdid with coverage) is very similar to Jeff Gluck’s "Kurt Busch Shows Drive to Win Away From Track" in that it shows things haven’t changed since MJ’s final retirement. Depending on your feelings toward Jordan you might feel differently, but the intriguing part of Thompson’s piece to me is how pathetic Jordan really looks when it comes to his personality, attitude and his general sense that the world revolves around him.

11."Seeking the Elusive Face of Baseball" by ESPN's Jayson Stark (July 16)

There has been a lot of talk in 2013 about how baseball has a massive problem in that it doesn’t have a “face of the sport,” a la LeBron James or Peyton Manning, though others (myself included) don’t feel it to be a big issue. Jayson Stark’s excellent piece for ESPN.com on the topic was among the best (and most important) baseball articles of the year, as it gets to the point (or issue) as to why it’s so hard to develop one superstar or “face” of the game that stands out above all the rest and how that may need to change or risk hurting the sport.     

10 Most Anticipated Returns in Sports

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic today were discussing LeBron James' return to Cleveland next year when the Miami Heat play them on December 2. They were talking about the most anticipated returns in sports history.

Here are my 10.

1) 2 of these events haven't happened yet 2) this is a quickly thrown together list, so if I miss one please let me know

1. Wayne Gretzky back to Edmonton as a LA King

2. LeBron James back to Cleveland as a Miami Heat (future)

3. Shaquille O'Neal back to Los Angeles as a Miami Heat

4. Brett Favre back to Green Bay as a Minnesota Viking

5. Roger Clemens back to Boston as a Yankee

6. Donovan McNabb back to Philadelphia as a Redskin (future)

7. Michael Jordan back to Chicago as a Wizard

8. Manny Ramirez back to Boston as a Dodger

9. Terrell Owens back to Philadelphia as a Cowboy

10. Tom Glavine back to Atlanta as a Met

Honorable Mention: Nick Saban back to LSU as coach of Alabama

Greatest Athletes by Numbers

#99

1. Wayne Gretzky (Hockey)
2. George Mikan (Basketball)
3. Jason Taylor (Football)

#98

1. Tony Siragusa (Football)
2. Jessie Armstead (Football)
3. Casey Hampton (Football)

#97

1. Simeon Rice (Football)
2. Jeremy Roenick (Hockey)
3. Cornelius Bennett (Football)

#96

1. Pavel Bure (Hockey)
2. Cortez Kennedy (Football)
3. Bill Voiselle (Baseball)

#95

1. Richard Dent (Football)
2. Sam Adams (Football)
3. Greg Lloyd (Football)

#94

1. Charles Haley (Football)
2. Demarcus Ware (Football)
3. Dana Stubblefield (Football)

#93

1. Doug Gilmore (Hockey)
2. John Randle (Football)
3. Richard Seymour (Football)

#92

1. Reggie White (Football)
2. Michael Strahan (Football)
3. Ted Washington (Football)

#91

1. Dennis Rodman (Basketball)
2. Sergei Fedorov (Hockey)
3. Kevin Greene (Football)

#90

1. Bob Kurland (Basketball)
2. Neil Smith (Football)
3. Jevon Kearse (Football)

#89

1. Mike Ditka (Football)
2. Gino Marchetti (Football)
3. Fred Dryer (Football)

#88

1. Marvin Harrison (Football)
2. Michael Irvin (Football)
3. Alan Page (Football)

#87

1. Dave Casper (Football)
2. Dwight Clark (Football)
3. Sidney Crosby (Hockey)

#86

1. Hines Ward (Football)
2. Buck Buchanan (Football)
3. Dante Lavelli (Football)

#85

1. Jack Youngblood (Football)
2. Nick Buoniconti (Football)
3. Mark Duper (Football)

#84

1. Shannon Sharpe (Football)
2. Randy Moss (Football)
3. Stirling Sharpe (Football)

#83

1. Ted Hendricks (Football)
2. Andre Reed (Football)
3. Mark Clayton (Football)

#82

1. Raymond Berry (Football)
2. Ozzie Newsome (Football)
3. John Stallworth (Football)

#81

1. Tim Brown (Football)
2. Terrell Owens (Football)
3. Dick Lane (Football)

#80

1. Jerry Rice (Football)
2. Kellen Winslow (Football)
3. Steve Largent (Football)

#79

1. Harvey Martin (Football)
2. Roosevelt Brown (Football)
3. Bob St. Claire (Football)

#78

1. Bruce Smith (Football)
2. Anthony Munoz (Football)
3. Jackie Slater (Football)

#77

1. Red Grange (Football)
2. Ray Bourque (Hockey)
3. Willie Roaf (Football)

#76

1. Lou Groza (Football)
2. Orlando Pace (Football)
3. Marion Motley (Football)

#75

1. Deacon Jones (Football)
2. Howie Long (Football)
3. Joe Greene (Football)

#74

1. Merlin Olsen (Football)
2. Bob Lilly (Football)
3. Bruce Matthews (Football)

#73

1. John Hannah (Football)
2. Ron Yary (Football)
3. Joe Klecko (Football)

#72

1. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
2. Dan Dierdorf (Football)
3. Ed Jones (Football)

#71

1. Alex Karras (Football)
2. Tony Boselli (Football)
3. George Connor (Football)

#70

1. Sam Huff (Football)
2. Jim Marshall (Football)
3. Art Donovan (Football)

#69

1. Mark Schlereth (Football)
2. Tim Krumrie (Football)
3. Jared Allen (Football)

#68

1. Jaromir Jagr (Hockey)
2. Will Shields (Football)
3. Kevin Mawae (Football)

#67

1. Bob Kuechenberg (Football)
2. Ed White (Football)
3. Russell Maryland (Football)

#66

1. Mario Lemieux (Hockey)
2. Ray Nitschke (Football)
3. Alan Faneca (Football)

#65

1. Elvin Bethea (Football)
2. Tom Mack (Football)
3. Gary Zimmerman (Football)

#64

1. Randall McDaniel (Football)
2. Jerry Kramer (Football)
3. Jack Reynolds (Football)

#63

1. Willie Lanier (Football)
2. Gene Upshaw (Football)
3. Lee Roy Selmon (Football)

#62

1. Jim Langer (Football)
2. Guy McIntyre (Football)
3. Scot Shields (Baseball)

#61

1. Bill George (Football)
2. Curley Culp (Football)
3. Josh Beckett (Baseball)

#60

1. Chuck Bednarik (Football)
2. Otto Graham (Football)
3. Scott Schoenweis (Baseball)

#59

1. Jack Ham (Football)
2. Seth Joyner (Football)
3. Todd Jones (Baseball)

#58

1. Jack Lambert (Football)
2. Derrick Thomas (Football)
3. Jonathan Papelbon (Baseball)

#57

1. Dwight Stephensen (Football)
2. Johan Santana (Baseball)
3. Clay Matthews (Football)

#56

1. Lawrence Taylor (Football)
2. Andre Tippett (Football)
3. Chris Doleman (Football)

#55

1. Junior Seau (Football)
2. Derrick Brooks (Football)
3. Dikembe Mutombo (Basketball)

#54

1. Randy White (Football)
2. Goose Gossage (Baseball)
3. Brian Urlacher (Football)

#53

1. Don Drysdale (Baseball)
2. Harry Carson (Football)
3. Artis Gilmore (Basketball)

#52

1. Ray Lewis (Football)
2. Mike Webster (Football)
3. Buck Williams (Basketball)

#51

1. Dick Butkus (Football)
2. Randy Johnson (Baseball)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (Baseball)

#50

1. Mike Singletary (Football)
2. David Robinson (Basketball)
3. Rebecca Lobo (Basketball)

#49

1. Ron Guidry (Baseball)
2. Bobby Mitchell (Football)
3. Charlie Hough (Baseball)

#48

1. Jimmie Johnson (Auto Racing)
2. Torii Hunter (Baseball)
3. Sam McDowell (Baseball)

#47

1. Tom Glavine (Baseball)
2. Mel Blount (Football)
3. Jack Morris (Baseball)

#46

1. Lee Smith (Baseball)
2. Andy Pettitte (Baseball)
3. Todd Christensen (Football)

#45

1. Bob Gibson (Baseball)
2. Pedro Martinez (Baseball)
3. Archie Griffin (Football)

#44

1. Hank Aaron (Baseball)
2. Jerry West (Basketball)
3. Reggie Jackson (Baseball)

#43

1. Richard Petty (Auto Racing)
2. Dennis Eckersley (Baseball)
3. Jack Sikma (Basketball)

#42

1. Jackie Robinson (Baseball)
2. Ronnie Lott (Football)
3. Mariano Rivera (Baseball)

#41

1. Tom Seaver (Baseball)
2. Eddie Matthews (Baseball)
3. Wes Unseld (Basketball)

#40

1. Gale Sayers (Football)
2. Elroy Hirsch (Football)
3. Bill Laimbeer (Basketball)

#39

1. Roy Campanella (Baseball)
2. Larry Csonka (Football)
3. Dominik Hasek (Hockey)

#38

1. Curt Schilling (Baseball)
2. George Rogers (Football)
3. Rocky Colavito (Baseball)

#37

1. Doak Walker (Football)
2. Shaun Alexander (Football)
3. Lester Hayes (Football)

#36

1. Robin Roberts (Baseball)
2. Gaylord Perry (Baseball)
3. Jerome Bettis (Football)

#35

1. Phil Niekro (Baseball)
2. Frank Thomas (Baseball)
3. Rickey Henderson (Baseball)

#34

1. Walter Payton (Football)
2. Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball)
3. Hakeem Olajuwon (Basketball)

#33

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Basketball)
2. Larry Bird (Basketball)
3. Tony Dorsett (Football)

#32

1. Jim Brown (Football)
2. Magic Johnson (Basketball)
3. Sandy Koufax (Baseball)

#31

1. Greg Maddux (Baseball)
2. Reggie Miller (Basketball)
3. Dave Winfield (Baseball)

#30

1. Nolan Ryan (Baseball)
2. Ken Griffey Jr. (Baseball)
3. Orlando Cepeda (Baseball)

#29

1. Rod Carew (Baseball)
2. Eric Dickerson (Football)
3. John Smoltz (Baseball)

#28

1. Cale Yarborough (Auto Racing)
2. Marshall Faulk (Football)
3. Bert Blyleven (Baseball)

#27

1. Juan Marichal (Baseball)
2. Carlton Fisk (Baseball)
3. Vladimir Guerrero (Baseball)

#26

1. Rod Woodson (Football)
2. Wade Boggs (Baseball)
3. Billy Williams (Baseball)

#25

1. K.C. Jones (Basketball)
2. Fred Biletnikoff (Football)
3. Gail Goodrich (Basketball)

#24

1. Willie Mays (Baseball)
2. Jeff Gordon (Auto Racing)
3. Kobe Bryant (Basketball)

#23

1. Michael Jordan (Basketball)
2. LeBron James (Basketball)
3. Ryne Sandberg (Baseball)

#22

1. Emmitt Smith (Football)
2. Elgin Baylor (Basketball)
3. Jim Palmer (Baseball)

#21

1. Roberto Clemente (Baseball)
2. Tim Duncan (Basketball)
3. David Pearson (Auto Racing)

#20

1. Barry Sanders (Football)
2. Mike Schmidt (Baseball)
3. Frank Robinson (Baseball)

#19

1. Johnny Unitas (Football)
2. Bob Feller (Baseball)
3. Tony Gwynn (Baseball)

#18

1. Peyton Manning (Football)
2. Dave Cowens (Basketball)
3. Charlie Joiner (Football)

#17

1. John Havlicek (Basketball)
2. Dizzy Dean (Baseball)
3. Matt Kenseth (Auto Racing)

#16

1. Joe Montana (Football)
2. George Blanda (Football)
3. Whitey Ford (Baseball)

#15

1. Bart Star (Football)
2. Hal Greer (Basketball)
3. Tom Heinsohn (Basketball)

#14

1. Pete Rose (Baseball)
2. Ernie Banks (Baseball)
3. AJ Foyt (Auto Racing)

#13

1. Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball)
2. Dan Marino (Football)
3. Alex Rodriguez (Baseball)

#12

1. Tom Brady (Football)
2. Terry Bradshaw (Football)
3. John Stockton (Basketball)

#11

1. Mark Messier (Hockey)
2. Isiah Thomas (Basketball)
3. Elvin Hayes (Basketball)

#10

1. Pele (Soccer)
2. Fran Tarkenton (Football)
3. Chipper Jones (Baseball)

#9

1. Ted Williams (Baseball)
2. Gordie Howe (Hockey)
3. Bob Petit (Basketball)

#8

1. Cal Ripken Jr. (Baseball)
2. Yogi Berra (Baseball)
3. Troy Aikman (Football)

#7

1. Mickey Mantle (Baseball)
2. John Elway (Football)
3. Craig Biggio (Baseball)

#6

1. Bill Russell (Basketball)
2. Stan Musial (Baseball)
3. Julius Erving (Basketball)

#5

1. Joe DiMaggio (Baseball)
2. Johnny Bench (Baseball)
3. Brooks Robinson (Baseball)

#4

1. Lou Gehrig (Baseball)
2. Bobby Orr (Hockey)
3. Brett Favre (Baseball)

#3

1. Babe Ruth (Baseball)
2. Dale Earnhardt (Auto Racing)
3. Allen Iverson (Basketball)

#2

1. Derek Jeter (Baseball)
2. Rusty Wallace (Auto Racing)
3. Charley Gehringer (Baseball)

#1

1. Oscar Robertson (Basketball)
2. Ozzie Smith (Baseball)
3. Warren Moon (Football)

#0/00

1. Robert Parrish (Basketball)
2. Jim Otto (Football)
3. Al Oliver (Baseball)

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.

1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards

Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14

2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers

Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers

Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19

4. Bill Russell- Celtics

Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12

5. Magic Johnson- Lakers

Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks

Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

7. Larry Bird- Celtics

Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers

Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15

9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers

Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs

Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers

Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14

12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors

Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12


13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers

Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11

14. Jerry West- Lakers

Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers

Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16

16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets

Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

17. Tim Duncan- Spurs

Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12

18. Bob Pettit- Hawks

Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11

19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets

Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

20. John Stockton- Jazz

Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets

Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic

Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

23. David Robinson- Spurs

Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10

24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls

Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies

Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11

26. John Havlicek- Celtics

Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics

Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers

Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7

29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets

Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals

Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks

Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets

Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic

Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons

Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

35. Dan Issel- Nuggets

Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat

Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

37. Hal Greer- 76ers

Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

38. Reggie Miller- Pacers

Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

39. George Mikan- Lakers

Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics

Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz

Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers

Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls

Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers

Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets

Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks

Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers

Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers

Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

50. LeBron James- Cavaliers

Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6

51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics

Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

52. Willis Reed- Knicks

Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks

Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics

Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks

Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks

Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers

Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

58. Paul Pierce- Celtics

Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks

Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7

60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz

Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks

Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks

Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers

Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers

Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets

Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

66. Sam Jones- Celtics

Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

67. Wes Unseld- Bullets

Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

69. Kevin McHale- Celtics

Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

70. James Worthy- Lakers

Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics

Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics

Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2

73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets

Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets

Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

75. Joe Dumars- Pistons

Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics

Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets

Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers

Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons

Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers

Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets

Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics

Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic

Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics

Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns

Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns

Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets

Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks

Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2

89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers

Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics

Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks

Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic

Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

93. Neil Johnston- Warriors

Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers

Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

95. Dwayne Wade- Heat

Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks

Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

97. Jack Twyman- Royals

Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks

Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks

Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic

Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

He's No M.J.

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics to win the 2010 NBA Finals and Kobe Bryant won his fifth career ring, but the one thing that kept running through my mind during game seven of the NBA Finals was: “Kobe is no M.J.”

There has been debate for a while now, and it’s been magnified during the playoffs this year, that Kobe Bryant could possibly be as good as Michael Jordan. I’ve heard one sports commentator even ask the question what would it take for Bryant to be thought of as the greatest player of all time, like Jordan. Is six championships enough? Seven? Eight? Even more?

After watching last night’s basketball game I’ve come to the decision that Kobe Bryant never will be as great as Michael Jordan. Not even if he wins as many championships (or more) and scores as many points.

Why?

Because last night, in the biggest game he could ever possibly play in, he didn’t play like the greatest of all time.

He didn’t even play like top five or top 10 all time (which he should have). Bryant did score 23 points last night, which while not up to his usual self isn’t a low number. However, he shot six for 24 from the field for a lowly 25% field goal percentage.

In six NBA Finals appearances, Jordan never shot 25% or worse. This was the second time in Bryant’s five championships (not counting the Finals he lost) that he’s shot 25% or worse.
Bryant was forcing up shots last night that Jordan never would have even dreamed of taking. He’d throw up shots while being double or even triple teamed that would have taken some heavy praying to reach the bottom of the basket.

I’ll never doubt that Bryant is a great basketball player. As previously mentioned he’s easily in the top 10 and could reach the top five before his career comes to an end.

However, comparing him to Michael Jordan would mean that Bryant is the greatest of all time. After watching his performance in last night’s game it’s impossible to call him that.